Baby Jesus, when Mary birthed you in Bethlehem, I don’t suppose you noticed that your wardrobe was lacking. You probably had two changes of clothes, just like little Senna next door. His mother got pregnant out of wedlock too, you know. So you were Tchotcho, your...
“Where did this happen?” “Near Bethlehem.” “What kind of place is Bethlehem?” “A small village.” “What appeared in the sky?” “An angel.” Christmas was approaching, and the Apal people were about to hear Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth in their own language for the...
It was Christmas Eve. I wasn’t in much of a holiday mood, though. The selection of potential gifts for our children had seemed pretty sparse in the local shops. Our artificial Christmas tree looked so pathetic cowering in its corner, and the abundant ornaments hanging...
In my North American world, Starbucks is selling Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Peppermint Mocha Cappuccinos. Thanksgiving with its bountiful feast is quickly approaching. The Christmas decorations, for sale since August, have been discounted. Radio stations are playing...
Most people assume that the national men and women who serve on Bible translation teams are Christians. While that’s a natural assumption, it is not accurate. A significant number of Pioneer Bible Translators missionaries are penetrating areas of the world’s...
The Faucet Problem I felt utterly defeated. I just lay there as water kept pouring out of the new kitchen faucet I was certain I had installed properly. I grew up with a handy dad. We fixed things ourselves whenever we could. I also worked construction and...
Our West African friends Momodou and Laye are brilliant and fun-loving men. In his late fifties, Momodou has a satirical sense of humor, which reminds me of my brother Steve. Laye is much younger, about 30. He’s a sweet and kind gentleman, like my husband Chocho. Both...
“Your father died?” Laynah asked as I sat with her on the bark-slat porch outside her home. Laynah had become my friend during my family’s earliest months in Papua New Guinea. Our grass-roofed hut had been right across the narrow dirt road from hers when we had lived...
Many individuals, couples, and families are in their final stages of preparing for cross-cultural ministry. Please uphold them in prayer with us.…
Many Pioneer Bible Translators personnel are currently — or soon will be — in their first te…
9 Ways to Pray for Third Culture Kids Third culture kids (TCKs), also known as MKs, have both the privilege and the challenge of growing up in their family’s place of ministry. Here are ways you can pray for TCKs, especially the children in missionary families you...
We didn't know what was going on, really, but just decided we should get in line because that's what everyone else was doing, and deep down, no one really wants to look out of place, right? The smiling faces and the beat of the drums let us know that this was a happy...